Troubleshooting guide
How to fix the problem
Shut down the Apple silicon Mac completely, hold the power button until the startup options, select the startup disk, hold Shift and choose Continue in Safe Mode. While turning on or restarting your Intel Mac, hold Shift until the login window appears. You may need to login more than once. To exit safe mode, reboot normally.
Possible solutions
Choose the method that matches your situation. Start with the simplest suitable option and check the result. If the problem is fixed, you do not need to continue with the other methods.
Apple silicon Safe Mode
Hold power until boot options, select disk, Shift and Continue in Safe Mode.
Steps to follow
- Turn off your Apple silicon Mac and wait for it to shut down completely.
- Hold power until boot options, select your boot drive.
- Hold Shift and select Continue in Safe Mode. Log in with your password.
- Check the problem; normally rebooting without keys will return you to normal mode.
Intel Safe Mode
While turning on Intel, hold Shift until login; you may need to sign in a second time.
Steps to follow
- Shut down or reboot your Intel Mac after saving your work.
- Immediately after powering up, hold Shift until the login window appears.
- Log in; if it asks a second time, it may be normal. Check the Safe Boot tag.
- Compare the problem; a normal reboot returns normal mode.
If the problem persists
If safe mode starts, compare the performance without login items. Safe Mode is not a separate version of the macOS installation; a normal reboot returns to normal startup.
Request a repair